returning
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B1 verb /rɪˈtɜrnɪŋ/

returning

Meaning
Coming or going back to a place or person.
Example
The group is returning to the port on December 25th.
C1 noun /nuːs/

Noose

Meaning
a loop with a running knot used for hanging; a trap or snare
Example
The cowboy made a noose to catch the wild horse.
B2 adjective /ˈæfluənt/

affluent

Meaning
having a great deal of money; wealthy
Example
She grew up in an affluent neighborhood.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəmˌsaɪˈkoʊsɪs/

metempsychosis

Meaning
The supposed transmigration of the soul, especially its reincarnation after death.
Example
Ancient philosophers often debated the idea of metempsychosis.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.trə.vɜːrt/

introvert

Meaning
A person who tends to be shy and prefers spending time alone rather than in groups.
Example
As an introvert, he preferred reading over attending parties.
C2 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowzy

Meaning
Unkempt, messy, or having a musty, unpleasant smell.
Example
He entered the room with a frowzy appearance after sleeping on the couch.
C2 noun /ɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəm/

empiricism

Meaning
the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience
Example
Empiricism argues that knowledge comes from experience and observation.
C2 noun /ˌdeɪnuːˈmɒ̃/

denouement

Meaning
The final resolution or conclusion of a story, drama, or complicated situation.
Example
The novel's denouement was both surprising and satisfying.
B2 noun /pəˈnɪn.sjə.lə/

Peninsula

Meaning
a piece of land that is almost completely surrounded by water but connected to the mainland
Example
The Korean Peninsula is located in East Asia.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːpərˈnuːmərɛri/

supernumerary

Meaning
Exceeding the usual number; extra or unnecessary.
Example
The play included several supernumerary actors to fill the background scenes.
C2 noun /ˌlɛdʒərdəˈmeɪn/

legerdemain

Meaning
skillful use of one's hands when performing tricks; deception or trickery
Example
The magician's legerdemain left the audience amazed.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmpoʊst/

compost

Meaning
decayed organic matter used as fertilizer
Example
The gardener added compost to enrich the soil.
B2 verb /dɪˈzɒlv/

dissolve

Meaning
to melt or become liquid; to officially end or break up an agreement or organization
Example
The sugar will dissolve quickly in hot tea.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒn.ɪ.fər.əs/

coniferous

Meaning
Relating to cone-bearing trees that usually have needle-like leaves and remain green year-round.
Example
Pine trees are coniferous and grow in colder climates.
B2 adjective /ˈmɪnɪməl/

minimal

Meaning
the smallest or least amount possible
Example
The damage to the car was minimal after the accident.
C2 adjective /ˈæb.ə.rənt/

aberrant

Meaning
deviating from what is normal or expected; abnormal
Example
His aberrant behavior shocked everyone at the meeting.
B2 noun ˈkɑː.bən

carbon

Meaning
The chemical element of atomic number 6, occurring as diamond, graphite, and charcoal.
Example
Carbon emissions must be controlled.
B1 noun /ʃɔːr/

Shore

Meaning
the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other body of water
Example
We walked along the shore collecting seashells.
A2 noun /spɔːt/

sport

Meaning
an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment
Example
Football is a popular sport around the world.
B2 verb /ˈvænɪʃ/

vanish

Meaning
to disappear suddenly; to become invisible
Example
The magician made the rabbit vanish from the hat.
C1 noun ˈfɔː.saɪt

foresight

Meaning
The ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future.
Example
His foresight helped the company avoid financial losses.
C2 adjective /dɪˈklæməˌtɔri/

declamatory

Meaning
speaking in a loud, rhetorical, or dramatic way
Example
The politician’s declamatory style impressed some but irritated others.
C2 noun /ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪə/

grenadier

Meaning
A soldier who specialized in throwing grenades; later used to describe an elite infantryman.
Example
The grenadier stood proudly at the front of the regiment.
A2 noun /ˈtɜːrki/

turkey

Meaning
a large bird native to North America, often eaten at special occasions like Thanksgiving; also the meat of this bird.
Example
We roasted a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
B1 verb /kæst/

cast

Meaning
to throw; to choose actors for a play; to shape metal
Example
The fisherman casts his line into the water.
B1 verb /ˈdekəreɪt/

decorate

Meaning
to make something look more attractive by adding ornaments
Example
We will decorate the room for the party.
C2 adjective /ˌæd.vɛnˈtɪʃ.əs/

adventitious

Meaning
Happening by chance or accident, not planned.
Example
His success was partly due to adventitious circumstances.
B2 noun /kəˈrɪz.mə/

charisma

Meaning
Compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.
Example
His charisma helped him become a great leader.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪərəˌɡlɪf/

hieroglyph

Meaning
A picture or symbol used in ancient writing systems, especially Egyptian writing.
Example
The walls of the temple were covered in hieroglyphs.
C2 verb /ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪt/

ingratiate

Meaning
To gain favor or approval by deliberate effort, often in a flattering way.
Example
She tried to ingratiate herself with her boss by complimenting him often.
B2 noun /ˈtʃɪk piː/

Chick pea

Meaning
round beige legume; protein-rich pulse used in various dishes
Example
Soak the chick peas overnight before cooking them for better digestion.
B1 noun /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɒnɪks/

electronics

Meaning
the branch of physics and technology dealing with circuits and devices using transistors, microchips, and other components
Example
He studied electronics at university.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈedəbəl/

Inedible

Meaning
not suitable or safe for eating; not edible
Example
The mushrooms were poisonous and completely inedible.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrmɪst/

conformist

Meaning
A person who uncritically conforms to established practices or standards.
Example
She was labeled a conformist for always following the crowd.
B2 verb /ˈklærɪfaɪ/

clarify

Meaning
to make clear; to explain more clearly
Example
The teacher clarifies the difficult concept.
C2 verb /ɪnˈdjuː/

endue

Meaning
To provide or endow with a quality or ability.
Example
The leader was endued with wisdom and courage.
C2 adjective /aɪˈtɪnərənt/

itinerant

Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or duty.
Example
The itinerant teacher moved from village to village to educate children.
C1 adjective /ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊniəs/

sanctimonious

Meaning
Making a show of being morally superior to others; hypocritically pious.
Example
He gave a sanctimonious speech about honesty while he himself was corrupt.
B2 noun /prəˈfɪʃənsi/

proficiency

Meaning
Competency or skill; expertise.
Example
His proficiency in multiple languages is remarkable.
C2 adjective /vəˈreɪʃəs/

veracious

Meaning
Truthful, honest; habitually speaking the truth.
Example
She gave a veracious account of what happened that day.
B2 verb /səˈrɛndər/

surrender

Meaning
to give up or yield to an opponent or authority
Example
The army finally surrendered after weeks of fighting.
C1 noun /ˈpɪt.əns/

pittance

Meaning
a very small or inadequate amount of money
Example
She worked long hours for a mere pittance.
C2 noun /ˈɪntərˌveɪl/

intervale

Meaning
A low-lying tract of land along a river, usually fertile and flat.
Example
The farmers cultivated crops on the lush intervale by the river.
B2 noun /sɪv/

Seive

Meaning
a utensil consisting of a wire or plastic mesh held in a frame, used for straining solids from liquids
Example
She used a sieve to separate the flour from lumps.
B1 verb /rɪˈvaɪz/

revise

Meaning
To change, improve, or update something, especially a written work.
Example
She had to revise her essay before submission.
B2 noun /ˈwɪkɪdnəs/

wickedness

Meaning
Evil or morally bad behavior.
Example
The story highlights the wickedness of the cruel king.
C1 adjective /frɔːt/

fraught

Meaning
Filled with or likely to result in something undesirable.
Example
The negotiations were fraught with tension and uncertainty.
B1 verb /rɪˈtaɪə/

retire

Meaning
to stop working after reaching a certain age or having completed a career
Example
She decided to retire after working for 40 years.
C2 adjective /əbˈstrɛpərəs/

obstreperous

Meaning
Noisy and difficult to control.
Example
The obstreperous students disrupted the class.
A2 noun /ˈpɪərɪəd/

period

Meaning
a length or portion of time
Example
The meeting will last for a period of two hours.
B2 adverb /pəˈtɛnʃəli/

potentially

Meaning
with the possibility of becoming something in the future
Example
This project is potentially a huge success.
A2 verb /əˈplaɪ/

apply

Meaning
to make a formal request for something; to put into practice
Example
He decided to apply for the scholarship.
A2 noun /ˈmiːdiə/

Media

Meaning
The main means of mass communication regarded collectively
Example
The news was widely reported in all forms of media.
C2 noun /koʊˈkɛt/

coquette

Meaning
a woman who flirts lightheartedly
Example
She was a coquette, always charming everyone at the party.
B2 noun /djʊˈreɪʃən/

duration

Meaning
the length of time that something continues
Example
The meeting lasted for the duration of two hours.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/

Inefficient

Meaning
not achieving maximum productivity; wasteful of time or resources
Example
The old computer system was inefficient and wasted a lot of time.
C2 noun /ˈæl.kə.laɪ ækt/

Alkali Act

Meaning
A British law passed in 1863 to regulate the emission of hydrochloric acid gas from alkali works, representing one of the first pieces of environmental legislation.
Example
The Alkali Act of 1863 was one of the first environmental laws.
B2 noun, verb /kloʊk/

cloak

Meaning
a loose outer garment; to cover, hide, or disguise
Example
The spy cloaked his identity with a false name.
A2 noun /ˈfaɪəˌwɜːk/

firework

Meaning
a device that explodes or creates a display of lights and sounds, often used in celebrations
Example
The fireworks lit up the sky during the New Year's Eve celebration.
A2 noun /laɪt bʌlb/

Light bulb

Meaning
a glass or plastic container that produces light when electricity passes through it
Example
The light bulb in the kitchen needs to be replaced.
B1 adjective /rɪˈlækst/

relaxed

Meaning
free from tension or stress; calm and comfortable
Example
She felt relaxed after listening to soft music.
A1 noun /aɪ/

Eye

Meaning
the organ of sight; the ability to see
Example
Her eyes sparkled with joy.
B1 noun /roʊˈmæns/

Romance

Meaning
a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love; a love affair or relationship
Example
Their romance began when they met at the university library.
C1 adjective + noun kəˈmendəbəl ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz

commendable initiatives

Meaning
Praiseworthy efforts or actions that deserve admiration and approval.
Example
The commendable initiatives aim to raise awareness.
C2 verb /prɒɡˈnɒstɪkeɪt/

prognosticate

Meaning
To foretell or predict future events, especially based on current signs.
Example
Experts attempted to prognosticate the outcome of the election.
B2 verb /əˈweɪkən/

awaken

Meaning
to stop sleeping; to cause to become aware
Example
The loud noise awakened the entire neighborhood.
C1 verb /ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/

ridicule

Meaning
To make fun of someone or something in a cruel or dismissive way.
Example
He was ridiculed for his strange ideas.
B2 adjective ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl

ecological

Meaning
Relating to ecology or the environment.
Example
Deforestation threatens the ecological balance of the planet.
A2 adjective; noun; gerund /ˈwɪnɪŋ/

winning

Meaning
achieving victory or success; attractive or pleasing in a way that brings success
Example
She has a winning attitude that inspires the whole team.
C1 phrasal verb /ɡlɒs ˈoʊ.vər/

gloss over

Meaning
to avoid discussing something unpleasant or make it seem less important
Example
The report glossed over the company's financial problems.
C1 adjective /ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/

counterintuitive

Meaning
contrary to what one would intuitively expect
Example
His approach seems counterintuitive but it actually works.
C1 adjective /sliːk/

sleek

Meaning
smooth, shiny, and stylish
Example
She drove a sleek black sports car.
C1 adjective /ˈkælkjʊleɪtɪŋ/

calculating

Meaning
acting in a scheming and ruthlessly determined way
Example
He had a cold and calculating approach to business.
C2 adjective /ɡoʊʃ/

gauche

Meaning
lacking social grace, sensitivity, or tact; awkward
Example
His gauche remarks embarrassed everyone at the dinner party.
C1 adjective kənˈkɝː.ənt

concurrent

Meaning
Existing, happening, or done at the same time.
Example
The conference had concurrent sessions on various topics.
A1 verb /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

understand

Meaning
to know the meaning of something; to comprehend
Example
Do you understand the instructions?
B1 noun /kəˈnæl/

canal

Meaning
an artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or drainage
Example
The canal was built to help transport goods across the region.
C1 noun ænˈtɪk.wə.ti

antiquity

Meaning
The ancient past, especially the period of classical and other human civilizations before the Middle Ages.
Example
The ruins are a reminder of the city's antiquity.
A2 adjective /əˈtræk.tɪv/

Attractive

Meaning
pleasing or appealing to the senses; having a quality that draws interest
Example
The garden looks very attractive in spring.
B1 verb /kənˈkluːd/

conclude

Meaning
to bring to an end; to decide or determine after consideration
Example
We will conclude the meeting at five o'clock.
B1 noun /əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən/

Accommodation

Meaning
a room, group of rooms, or building in which someone may live or stay
Example
The hotel provides comfortable accommodation for tourists.
C1 verb /ləˈmɛnt/

lament

Meaning
to express grief, sorrow, or regret about something
Example
She lamented the loss of her childhood home.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/

dialectic

Meaning
A method of argument or reasoning by dialogue, especially as a means of investigating truth.
Example
The philosopher used dialectic to challenge his students' assumptions.
A2 verb /ˈwʌri/

worry

Meaning
to feel anxious or troubled about something; to be concerned
Example
Don't worry about the exam results.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːbərn/

auburn

Meaning
reddish-brown in color, especially used to describe hair
Example
She has long auburn hair that shines in the sunlight.
B2 adjective /rɪˈfaɪnd/

Refined

Meaning
elegant and cultured in appearance, manner, or taste; purified
Example
She has very refined taste in art and music.
A1 verb, adjective /oʊn/

own

Meaning
to possess something; belonging to oneself
Example
She owns a beautiful house in the city.
B2 noun ˈbɪz.nɪs ˈfaɪ.næns

business finance

Meaning
The area of finance that deals with sources of funding and the capital structure of corporations.
Example
Effective business finance enhances profitability.
B1 adjective ʌnˈplænd

unplanned

Meaning
Not planned or arranged in advance; happening spontaneously without preparation.
Example
Unplanned urbanization contributes to environmental issues.
B2 noun/verb /bʌst/

bust

Meaning
As a noun: A sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest; As a verb: To break, smash, or arrest.
Example
The police busted the gang last night.
C2 noun /pruːd/

prude

Meaning
A person who is easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity; someone overly modest.
Example
He was called a prude for blushing at the movie scenes.
C1 adjective /ˌhaɪ.drəˈpɒn.ɪk/

hydroponic

Meaning
Relating to the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
Example
Hydroponic farming allows crops to grow without soil.
C2 noun /reɪθ/

wraith

Meaning
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially seen shortly before or after their death.
Example
A wraith appeared in the fog near the old castle.
C2 noun /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪzəm/

opportunism

Meaning
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities regardless of principles or ethics.
Example
His decision was driven by opportunism, not values.
C2 noun /hʌsk/

husk

Meaning
the dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds
Example
The corn husk was peeled away before cooking.
B1 noun /ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti taɪm/

quality time

Meaning
Time spent giving someone your full attention in order to strengthen your relationship with them.
Example
Spending quality time with family enhances relationships.
C2 adjective /ˈɒfɪʃ/

offish

Meaning
Unfriendly, distant, or reserved in manner.
Example
He seemed offish at the party and avoided most conversations.
C2 noun /ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/

catechism

Meaning
A summary of religious principles often in the form of questions and answers; also a set of fixed questions or beliefs.
Example
The priest taught the children the catechism every Sunday.
B2 noun /ˈsɪmptəm/

symptom

Meaning
a sign or indication of something, especially of an illness
Example
Fever is a common symptom of the flu.
A1 noun /hɔːrs/

Horse

Meaning
a large domesticated mammal used for riding and pulling loads
Example
The horse galloped across the field with great speed.
B2 noun /sərˈvaɪvər/

Survivor

Meaning
a person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died
Example
She is a cancer survivor who now helps other patients.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/

encircle

Meaning
to form a circle around something
Example
The protesters encircled the building in a human chain.
B2 noun /ˈɡɑː.mənt/

garment

Meaning
An item of clothing.
Example
She bought a new garment for the party.
C2 verb /ˈbɜːrnɪʃ/

burnish

Meaning
To polish something by rubbing; to enhance or improve.
Example
He burnished the old table until it shone.
C1 noun /ˈtoʊtəm/

totem

Meaning
A natural object, animal, or symbol that is revered as a spiritual emblem by a group or tribe.
Example
The eagle is considered a sacred totem in many cultures.
C1 noun /mɒnˈtɑːʒ/

montage

Meaning
A sequence of film editing or a composite image made by combining several separate pictures.
Example
The film opened with a montage of city life.
B2 noun ˈfreɪm.wɜːks

frameworks

Meaning
A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text; an essential supporting structure.
Example
Frameworks define the basis of systems.
A2 noun /ˈtel.ɪˌvɪʒ.ən/

Television

Meaning
an electronic device for receiving and displaying television broadcasts
Example
My family watches television together every evening.
A2 noun /ˈmædʒɪk/

magic

Meaning
the use of mysterious or supernatural powers to influence events
Example
The magician amazed the crowd with his magic.
C2 verb /ˈræm.ɪ.faɪ/

ramify

Meaning
to spread or branch out into divisions or subdivisions.
Example
The river ramifies into several smaller streams.
C1 verb ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪtɪd

initiated

Meaning
Caused a process or action to begin; started something.
Example
The project was initiated to enhance marine biodiversity.
B2 noun ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si ˌreɪts

literacy rates

Meaning
The percentage of people in a population who can read and write; measures of educational levels in a population.
Example
Literacy rates impact socioeconomic conditions.
C2 adjective /kəˈprɪʃəs/

capricious

Meaning
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Example
The stock market can be capricious, shifting dramatically without warning.
C1 noun /ˈmoʊ.tər ˈlɔː.ri/

Motor lorry

Meaning
a large motor vehicle used for transporting goods; truck
Example
The motor lorry delivered fresh vegetables to the market.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌmp.tʃu.əs/

sumptuous

Meaning
Splendid and expensive-looking; luxurious.
Example
The guests were treated to a sumptuous banquet.
B2 noun /ɡreɪv/

Grave

Meaning
a hole dug in the ground to receive a coffin; a place of burial; serious or solemn
Example
The family visited the grave of their beloved grandfather every Sunday.
C2 noun /ˈeɪ.viˌɛr.i/

aviary

Meaning
a large enclosure for keeping birds
Example
The zoo built a new aviary for exotic parrots.
B1 adjective, adverb /ˈoʊvərɔːl/

overall

Meaning
in general or as a whole
Example
Overall, the project has been successful.
B2 noun /ˈdrɔː.bæk/

Drawback

Meaning
a feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage or problem
Example
The main drawback of living in the city is the high cost of housing.
C1 adjective /ˈpoʊləraɪzd/

polarized

Meaning
divided into two sharply contrasting groups or opinions
Example
The debate polarized the community on the issue of climate change.
B2 adjective /dɛns/

dense

Meaning
Closely compacted in substance; having parts crowded together.
Example
The forest was so dense that little sunlight reached the ground.